13 OFFICERS ARMED WITH DARE TRAINING

LAS CRUCES -- Thirteen officers are headed back to work with more tools
to help kids stay off of drugs.

DARE, a program founded 25 years ago in Los Angeles, graduated the
officers Friday after two weeks of training at Dona Ana County
Sheriff's Department headquarters in Las Cruces, the first DARE class
in New Mexico in seven years.

The training resulted in five of the officers becoming mentors,
certifying them to conduct DARE -- Drug Abuse Resistance Education --
training.

"We have gathered here today to celebrate the completion of this
training," said Jeff Smith, a retired officer of the Germantown, Wis.,
police department and DARE instructor. "... This was a special time
for New Mexico, as they were able to get their training staff back
up."

The new DARE officers are from three states -- New Mexico, Arizona and
Montana -- and one from Ontario, Canada.

"This was a very proud moment for the Dona Ana County Sheriff's
Department," said Undersheriff Chuck Franco. "It has established us as
a training center for the DARE program."

Franco said DARE officers are often recognized while out in the
community even years after students take part in the lessons.

"That is something to be very, very proud of ... this is something I
hope never goes away," Franco said. "They'll remember to say "no' to
drugs and that's what we want," he added.